Victoria Hospital, Kalpalli Cemetery: The most haunted places in Bangalore

The Garden City is guarding a few dark secrets

Bangalore may be the Silicon Valley of India but some of the city’s residents will tell you — albeit in hushed tones — that even the most recent advances in science can’t explain certain occurrences. On the surface, Bengaluru (or Bangalore, if you may) is a fast-paced metropolis with a thriving nightlife and one of the most exciting live gigs scene in the country. But under all that, lies a different city — one where lines between past and present, and realms become blurred. Not all are privy to this side of Bengaluru, not all wish to be but the few who have seen (or felt or heard) it, would not wish it upon you. Yet, if you must go seeking trouble of the paranormal variety, here’s where you’ll be able to find it.

These are the 3 most haunted places in Bangalore

Of course, there’s been no proof of spectres haunting the sites listed below. So it’s only fair that you’re skeptical. But who doesn’t love a ghost story, right? Like the one of Naale Ba, for instance. This urban legend dates back to the ’90s when Bengaluru was still Bangalore and wasn’t nearly as much of a bustling city as it is today. It’s said that a spirit would go about kicking on doors of homes looking for its next pray. The spirit — a witch, according to locals — would bring great misfortune upon whoever opened their doors to her. Another version of this insanely popular legend says that the witch would call out in the voice of the person’s loved one, compelling them to open the door. The only way to get rid of her was to say ‘Naale Baa’ which translates into ‘come tomorrow’ in Kannada. So real was this phenomena that homes in certain neighbourhoods of Bangalore still have the words Naale Baa inscribed on their doors and walls. In fact, the popularity of this myth has lead to a Bollywood adaptation — the upcoming Shraddha Kapoor-Rajkummar Rao starrer Stree! Meanwhile, here are four of the most haunted places in Bangalore

1. Bangalore International Airport

Didn’t expect to see this one on the list? The Kempegowda International Airport is believed to be one of the most haunted places in Bangalore. Travellers and airport staff have reported sighting a woman (often headless) in a white sari on the airstrip and the cargo wing. Taxi operators around the airport have also reportedly spotted the headless woman. But every time someone tries to approach her, she vanishes.

2. Kalpalli Cemetery

Cemeteries don’t exactly promise positive vibes. But Kalpalli Cemetery, Karnataka’s biggest graveyard, takes things to another level. Even in broad daylight, passersby have reported seeing a white-clad figure walking among the graves only to mysteriously disappear and have felt as if they were being watched. Some visitors to the cemetery have even reported feeling as if they were being suffocated.

3. Victoria Hospital

Image credit: Flickr/P L Tandon

Bangalore’s largest hospital, Victoria Hospital, was founded in 1901 by the Maharaja of Mysore. But apart from hundreds of patients, it also houses some unearthly residents. Though visitors have spotted shadows in the bushes and on the grounds, there’s also a lighter side to this tale. According to legend, Victoria Hospital is haunted by the spirit of a woman who died here. But unlike the more sinister spectres on this list, the Victoria Hospital haunting involves the disappearance of food. So we suppose you’re safe… as long as you don’t Zomato your dinner.